Romo comes up big Week 13

First of all, there were some great games this week. Let's just get that out of the way. We had upsets, great finishes and big performances, making for an exciting week. Hopefully, your fantasy team came out on top.

Not a surprise, but once again passing ruled the day in Week 13. We had some HUGE passing performances this week. There were actually nine 300-yard passers (before the Monday night game). And we even had a quarterback throw for 400 yards (Drew Brees).

There were seven 100-yard rushers, but the highest rushing total of the week was 120. On the flip side, we had a whopping 17 100-yard receivers. Quarterbacks and receivers carried fantasy teams.

If you haven't figured it out by now, you need a top quarterback and a solid group of receivers to win in fantasy these days. Don't get me wrong, top running backs are important, but you can win without them with the way some of the quarterbacks and receivers are playing this season. You need to remember this when drafting next season. Things change in the NFL and fantasy owners need to adapt just like the teams in the league if they hope to win.

Jets 19, Bills 13

Fantasy Stud: Thomas Jones. Jones continued his solid ways Thursday night. He had another 100-yard game, rushing 23 times for 109 yards. Jones has 100-yard games in five of his last seven. He gets little work in the passing game, which holds his numbers back a little for fantasy teams but his rushing yards and touchdowns are as consistent as any back in the game. Jones is about a must-start for fantasy teams.

Fantasy Dud: Ryan Fitzpatrick. We didn't expect a whole lot from Fitzpatrick in this matchup, but he had a worse showing than expected. Fitzpatrick was just 9-of-23 for 98 yards with an interception. He failed to score a touchdown. Fitzpatrick has shown he can produce in the right matchup, but is far from a consistent fantasy play.

Game Notes: Marshawn Lynch was the No. 2 back, but led the team in rushing and scored a touchdown. He finished with six carries for 60 yards. It was just his second touchdown of the season and his highest rushing total since Week 6.

Mark Sanchez left the game with a knee sprain. He is in danger of missing some time with the injury. The injury is more of a pain issue, though, so if Sanchez can tolerate the pain, he'll play. Sanchez was 7-of-15 for 104 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game.

Eagles 34, Falcons 7

Fantasy Stud: Michael Vick. We doubt anyone used Vick this week, but he was able to find the end zone for the first time this season. In fact, he scored twice in the game. Vick ran in a score and also has a five-yard touchdown pass. He finished the game with 17-rushing yards and 48-passing yards with two total scores. The game was a blowout, though, which led to a little more action for Vick. Don't count on this every week.

Fantasy Dud: LeSean McCoy. The Eagels scored a lot of points and racked up some yards, but McCoy wasn't really a part of the action. He ran six times for just two yards and caught three passes for 24 yards. McCoy had 99 or more yards in two straight games, so this game wasn't expected against a below average Falcons defense. But as you know, the Eagles aren't always the most predictable when it comes to play calling, making McCoy a tad risky play each week.

Game Notes: Jerious Norwood got most of the action at running back, but didn't do much with his chances. He ran 11 times for 18 yards and caught two passes for 24 yards. The Falcons rushing attack just isn't the same with Michael Turner out.

Chris Redman looks for Roddy White often. He had nine catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. He has touchdowns in each game Redman has played and double-digit targets in each of those games.

Panthers 16, Bucs 6

Fantasy Stud: Jonathan Stewart. DeAngelo Williams was a surprise inactive, giving Stewart the start. And Stewart produced a big game in a starting role. He ran 26 times for 120 yards and a touchdown. He also caught a pass for six yards. This was Stewart's highest rushing total of the season. He has obvious value in a starting role, so you'll want Stewart active as long as Williams is out.

Fantasy Dud: Josh Freeman. Sure, Freeman enjoyed the first 300-yard game of his career Sunday, but he also was picked off five times in the game. Freeman also failed to score a touchdown. His yardage numbers were nice (321) but all the turnovers and lack of a score was killer for fantasy teams. We still think Freeman has potential but is probably a season or two away from being a fantasy factor.

Game Notes: Antonio Bryant is finally starting to heat up. He had his first 100-yard game of the season Sunday, catching five passes for 116 yards. He has 207 yards the last two games. Bryant is healthy and producing as the Bucs top option in the passing game.

Matt Moore had a ho-hum first start of the season. He failed to score a touchdown, but was 14-of-20 for 161 yards. He also led the Panthers to victory, which should ensure him another start in Week 14.

Bears 17, Rams 9

Fantasy Stud: Matt Forte. Forte had one of his few strong showings of the season. He ran for 91 yards and a touchdown, and also caught a pass for five yards. This was just the third time this season Forte had 90 or more rushing yards. His overall numbers still aren't very good, but Forte remains a good play in the right matchup.

Fantasy Dud: Jay Cutler. Not sure about you, but this game was my last to use Cutler this season. He had a favorable matchup, but still couldn't do much with it. He completed 8-of-17 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. The good news was Cutler didn't turn the ball over, but the bad news was he threw for less than 200 yards and had just a score. Cutler has three touchdowns to eight interceptions the last four games.

Game Notes: Devin Hester left the game with some sort of calf injury and didn't return. He caught a pass for 48 yards in the game. Keep an eye on our notes this week to get the latest on the Hester injury.

Steven Jackson played with his sore back and had a usual big performance. He rushed 28 times for 112 yards and caught four passes for nine yards. Jackson has 100-plus total yards in eight straight games. The Rams might stink, but Jackson sure is running hard and producing huge numbers.

Bengals 23, Lions 13

Fantasy Stud: Chad Ochocinco. After doing little the last month or so, Ochocino finally produced a big game Sunday. He caught nine passes for 137 yards and a touchdown. He made a nice sliding catch for his score and proceeded to don a sombrero on the sidelines after the score. Ochocino has three 100-yard games this season and is just 90 yard shy of 1,000. He is having a big bounce-back season.

Fantasy Dud: Matthew Stafford. Stafford had another rough showing, eventually getting pulled for Daunte Culpepper late in the game. Stafford was 11-of-26 for 143 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. Stafford has six interceptions and is completing less than 50 percent of his passes the last two games. We aren't sure if his shoulder injury is impacting him, but Stafford hasn't been himself the last few weeks.

Game Notes: Cedric Benson returned from his hip injury and ran the ball 36 times. Needless to say, his injury didn't slow him. Benson finished with 110-rushing yards. Benson has five 100-yard games this season.

Calvin Johnson had a big performance, catching six passes for 123 yards and a touchdown. Johnson has touchdowns in three straight games and 100-yard games in two of the last three.

Colts 27, Titans 17

Fantasy Stud: Joseph Addai. Addai still isn't producing huge yardage games, but decent enough and is finding the end zone at a huge rate. Addai had 96 total yards and two touchdowns Sunday. Addai has 12 touchdowns, failing to score in just three games all season. You can live with his so-so yardage totals as long as he keeps scoring like this.

Fantasy Dud: Reggie Wayne. Wayne had a matchup against the team allowing the most fantasy points to receivers this season, so you expected big things from Wayne. But Wayne really didn't get a ton of work, catching four passes for 48 yards. Wayne has less than 50 yards in back-to-back games. We wouldn't get too down on him, though. He has four 100-yard games and nine touchdowns this season. He'll get going.

Game Notes: Pierre Garcon was the leading receiver for the Colts. He had six receptions for 136 yards. Both totals were season highs for Garcon. He has 100-yard games in two of his last three.

Vince Young played a good game against a good Colts defense on the road. He finished with 241-passing yards with two touchdowns and an interception. This was the first two-touchdown game for Young this season.

Jaguars 23, Texans 18

Fantasy Stud: David Garrard. Garrard didn't have huge numbers, but solid enough for fantasy teams. He threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. He also ran for 13 yards. Garrard has 12 touchdowns to six interceptions this season. His yardage numbers have been more impressive than anything, throwing for 210-plus yard in nine games this season.

Fantasy Dud: Mike Sims-Walker. Sims-Walker had one of his worst showings of the season, catching a pass for 12 yards. The good news is Sims-Walker was targeted nine times in the game. Garrard and Sims-Walker just weren't on the same page. We still consider Sims-Walker an elite option at receiver. He is having a breakout year as the Jags No. 1 receiver.

Game Notes: Matt Schaub left the game for a few series because he dislocated his non-throwing shoulder. Schaub was able to return, though, and finished 19-of-27 for 207 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Ryan Moats got the most carries for the Texans at running back with Steven Slaton out (neck injury). Moats ran 12 times for 41 yards while Chris Brown had six carries for 15 yards and a touchdown.

Broncos 44, Chiefs 13

Fantasy Stud: Knowshon Moreno. Moreno ran 21 times for 86 yards and two touchdowns. This was Moreno's first two-touchdown game of his career. He has 86 or more total yards in four straight games, getting most of the carries at running back for the Broncos. Moreno is going to be a fantasy factor for years to come.

Fantasy Dud: Matt Cassel. Cassel was benched in the game, leaving the game after going 10-of-29 for 84 yards and two interceptions. Cassel has been decent most of the season, but is capable of the really bad game, playing for a bad team. He is a risky weekly play for fantasy teams.

Game Notes: Correll Buckhalter made a lot of big plays on the ground. He ran 12 times for 113 yards, averaging 9.4 yards per carry. It was Buckhalter's highest rushing total of the season. He averages more than five yards per carry this season (5.4).

Jamaal Charles scored a touchdown for the fourth straight game. He finished with 59 total yards on 19 touches. Charles has become a solid No. 2 back for fantasy teams since taking over the starting role.

Dolphins 22, Patriots 21

Fantasy Stud: Davone Bess. Bess enjoyed his best game of the season, catching 10 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. Bess has been the most reliable target for the Dolphins passing game this season. He has at least three receptions in every game. Bess still isn't a great fantasy play but deserves some spot starts as a No. 3 receiver in the right matchup.

Fantasy Dud: Laurence Maroney. Maroney failed to score a touchdown for the first time in six games. He ran for just 41 yards, which was one of his lower totals in recent weeks. You still have to like Maroney's potential in a good Patriots offense, but he is no sure thing each week since the Patriots throw so much.

Game Notes: Chad Henne was a huge factor, leading the Dolphins on a game-winning drive late in the game. He was 29-of-52 for 335 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. It was Henne's first 300-yard game as a pro.

Sam Aiken has emerged as the Patriots No. 3 receiver. He had just a catch Sunday, but it went for a 81-yard touchdown. Aiken has 171 yards the last two games and is a big-play threat in the Patriots offense (18.2 yards per reception).

Raiders 27, Steelers 24

Fantasy Stud: Bruce Gradkowski. Wow, what a difference Gradkowski has been since taking over at quarterback for the Raiders. He led the Raiders on a game-winning drive on the road against the defending Super Bowl champs Sunday. Gradkowski had a career performance, going 20-of-33 for 308 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. He also ran three times for 20 yards. We still wouldn't consider him a guy to use on our fantasy team, but his six touchdowns to one interception the last three games are a lot better than many of the quarterbacks in the league right now.

Fantasy Dud: Darren McFadden. McFadden had nine carries for 25 yards. The big issues was he went without a reception, which was a big downer for fantasy teams. McFadden has been inconsistent all season, making him a guy not even worth a roster spot in most leagues. The whole Raiders running back situation is something to avoid.

Game Notes: Ben Roethlisberger looked just fine in his first game back from a concussion. He was 18-of-24 for 278 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. He came out of the game just fine and should be in the lineup going forward.

Louis Murphy had his best game as a pro, catching four passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Murphy has touchdowns in two of the last three games. He is the only wide receiver worth using for the Raiders right now.

Saints 33, Redskins 30

Fantasy Stud: Jason Campbell. Campbell enjoyed one of his best statistical days as a pro. He completed 30-of-42 passes for 367 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. Campbell is posting solid numbers of late. He has 230-plus passing yards in three straight and three touchdowns in back-to-back games. Campbell seems to feel comfortable in the Redskins offense, making him worth some spot starts for fantasy teams.

Fantasy Dud: Saints defense. The Saints defense got a lot of starts this week after playing well most of the season and getting a favorable matchup against the Redskins. But the Saints defense had no answer for the Redskins passing game. They allowed 455 total yards of offense and 30 points. New Orleans also failed to record a sack the entire game.

Game Notes: Devin Thomas had a breakout game, catching seven passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns. It was his first 100-yard game of his career. Thomas has been targeted six or more times in three straight games, getting more and more involved in the Redskins offense.

Robert Meachem had a monster game. He returned a fumble for a touchdown and also caught a pass for a score. Meachem finished with eight receptions for 142 yards. Meachem has five or more receptions three of the last five games.

Chargers 30, Browns 23

Fantasy Stud: Brady Quinn. Quinn seems to be turning the corner - finally. He had a strong showing Sunday, going 25-of-45 for 271 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Quinn is taking more shots downfield, which is leading to better production. Quinn has eight touchdowns without an interception his last three games. He remains a risky play for fantasy teams, but is at least worth some consideration if you are searching for options.

Fantasy Dud: Vincent Jackson. The Chargers threw for nearly 400 yards, but Jackson wasn't much of a factor. He had two receptions for 54 yards. Jackson has six straight games with less than 60 yards. It is tough to sit Jackson because of his upside, but he isn't a must start at this point.

Game Notes: Antonio Gates is getting more and more work in the passing game. He caught eight passes for 167 yards. Gates has back-to-back 100-yard games. He is just six yards shy of another 1,000-yard season.

LaDainian Tomlinson scored a touchdown for the fourth straight game. He finished with 20 carries for 64 yards. Tomlinson has eight touchdowns the last six games. His yards might be down, but you sure can't complain about his big touchdown numbers.

Giants 31, Seahawks 24

Fantasy Stud: Tony Romo. I had a lot of emailers asking about Romo this week. Most wanted to sit him. I felt his upside was too high to leave on the bench, especially with the Giants playing less than stellar defense in the secondary. Romo came through for the owners that played him this week. He was 41-of-55 for 392 and three touchdowns without an interception. Romo has four three-touchdown performances this season. He will put up a poor showing every once in a while, but his potential for the huge game remains high any given Sunday.

Fantasy Dud: Mario Manningham. Mannigham had his second worst showing of the season, catching a pass for 10 yards. Manningham had at least five receptions in three straight games before this one. He has been a pretty consistent option in the Giants passing game. His overall numbers are solid, but he hasn't scored since Week 6, which isn't helping fantasy teams.

Game Notes: Jason Witten had his second straight 100-yard game. He caught a season-high 14 passes for 156 yards. Witten is trying to erase a slow start to his season, posting huge numbers of late.

Roy Williams scored two touchdowns, catching six passes for 60 yards. Williams is turning into a top red-zone threat, catching touchdown passes in two of the last three games. His yardage numbers still aren't great, but Williams suddenly has six touchdowns.

Seahawks 20, 49ers 17

Fantasy Stud: Alex Smith. Smith continued his hot streak, throwing for 310 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. It was his first 300-yard game of the season, but Smith has seven touchdowns to an interception his last three games. Smith has at least two touchdowns in five games this season. He is a legit No. 1 fantasy quarterback.

Fantasy Dud: Frank Gore. Gore ran for just 25 yards and caught five passes for 37 yards. He also lost a fumble in the game. Gore hasn't been very good the last three games. He has just 177 total yards during that stretch. He still has upside as a total yardage threat, but the 49ers pass-heavy offense is hurting Gore's numbers.

Game Notes: Vernon Davis enjoyed his third 100-yard game of the season. Davis has touchdowns in three straight and 10 for the season. He is producing as well as some of the elite receivers this season.

Julius Jones returned from his lung injury and carried the ball 20 times. He finished with 64 total yards on 25 touches. Jones dominated the work at running back, getting 17 more touches than Justin Forsett, who had 34 total yards and a touchdown.

Cardinals 30, Vikings 17

Fantasy Stud: Kurt Warner. Warner was nearly flawless in his first game back from a concussion. He didn't look slowed at all by the injury. Warner was 22-of-32 for 285 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. Warner is on fire right now. He has 12 touchdowns without an interception his last four games. Warner is playing as well as any fantasy quarterback in the game right now.

Fantasy Dud: Adrian Peterson. You don't say this much, but Peterson actually gained more as a receiver than runner Sunday night. He ran 13 times for 19 yards, but caught six passes for 46 yards. The Cardinals defense did a great job of containing Peterson throughout the game. It was the first time all season Peterson rushed for fewer than 50 yards. Peterson remains a must start, though, and is an elite fantasy back. This was just a game. He'll get going next week.

Game Notes: Brett Favre looked a little rattled for the first time this season. The Cardinals got pressure on Favre throughout the game, which led to him making some poor decisions. Favre was intercepted twice in the game. It was the first game this season Favre had more than an interception during a game. His overall numbers were solid, though, throwing for 275 yards and two touchdowns.

Anquan Boldin made several spectacular catches and had his first two-touchdown game of the season. Boldin had seven receptions for 98 yards. Boldin has 98 or more yards in three of the last four games.

If you have any questions or comments, please email Jeff Paur at jeff@rtsports.com